Samsung Galaxy S24 FE vs. Google Pixel 8a: It comes down to size, camera, and performance
by Roland Udvarlaki · Android PoliceMade for the fans
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
The Galaxy S24 FE – Fan Edition – brings flagship features at a more affordable price. It has a large and vibrant display, an aluminium frame, and a decent camera capable of capturing your memories. While the charging is still on the slow side, it remains a viable alternative for those not looking to spend over $800 for a flagship specced smartphone.
Pros
- Vibrant and colorful display
- Great performance
- Improved cameras
Cons
- Slow charging
- Expensive
Affordable flagship
Google Pixel 8a
The Pixel 8a is the latest midrange phone from Google, offering flagship features at a more reasonable price tag. It combines the design and features from the premium lineup in a stylish plastic package, offering the best in class camera performance under $500. It has a beautiful screen, long software support, and even some AI features that make it stand its ground for the years to come.
Pros
- It looks and feels great
- Long software support
- Fantastic camera for the price
Cons
- Large and uneven bezels
- Battery could be better
You might think that comparing the Galaxy S24 FE, a phone that’s worth $650 and the Pixel 8a that retails for under $500 might be an unfair comparison, but there are a lot more similarities than you would imagine. While the size is indeed a major differentiator, the overall features and power inside these phones is comparable.
We put two of the most popular budget phones side by side to tell you which you should consider as your next smartphone. We’ll take a deep dive into the specs, display, battery, and camera performance to determine whether you should spend an extra $150 on the Galaxy, or whether you’re better off saving that money and grabbing the Pixel.
Price, specs, and availability
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is available at most shops and carriers, as well as directly through Samsung. The base model comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and it retails for $650. The new Fan Edition comes in four colors: Graphite, Gray, Blue, and Mint.
The Google Pixel 8a is also available at most carriers and retailers, as well as the Google Store. The device retails for $499, and the base model comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There’s also a 256GB model that costs $60 more, though that’s only available in Obsidian color. The base model comes in four colors, including Aloe, Bay, Obsidian, and Porcelain.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Google Pixel 8a SoC Samsung Exynos 2400e Google Tensor G3 Display type AMOLED, 120Hz OLED, 120Hz Display dimensions 6.7" 6.1", 20:9 Display resolution 1080 x 2340 1080 x 2400 RAM 8GB 8GB Storage 128GB or 256GB 128GB, 256GB Battery 4,700mAh 4492mAh Charge speed 25W 18W wired, 7.5W wireless Charge options USB-C wired, Qi wireless USB-C wired, Qi wireless Ports USB-C USB-C SIM support Dual SIM (Nano SIM and eSIM) Nano SIM, eSIM Operating System Android 14 and One UI 6.1 Android 14 Front camera 10MP, f/2.4 13MP, f/2.2 Rear camera 50MP, f/1.8, OIS main; 12MP, f/2.2 ultrawide; 8MP, f/2.4 3x telephoto 64MP f/1.89 OIS main, 13MP f/2.2 wide Cellular connectivity 4G LTE, 5G (sub-6 and mmWave) Sub-6 5G (optional mmWave) Wi-Fi connectivity Wi-Fi 6E Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.3 Dimensions 77.3 x 162.0 x 8.0mm 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9mm Weight 213g 188g IP Rating IP68 IP67 Colors Blue, Graphite, Gray, Mint, Yellow Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe
Read our review
Review: The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is one step away from greatness
It faces stiff competition
Read our review
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Google's hardware lineup is in a tricky spot, and the Pixel 8a only makes things more confusing
Design
Regular looks, refined feels
Both the Galaxy and Pixel are reminiscent of their flagship counterparts. The Galaxy S24 FE, as the name suggests, looks very familiar, similar to the Galaxy S24 series, while the Pixel 8a looks a lot like the Pixel 8 series from 2023. The Galaxy features more premium materials, including a Gorilla Glass Victus+ front and rear glass with an aluminum frame. The Pixel 8a only has a Gorilla Glass 3 front, an aluminum frame, and a plastic back.
Despite the plastic design on the Pixel 8a, it feels extremely great and comfortable, and not cheap at all. Our reviewer, Will Sattelberg, was very impressed with the matte finish, and he appreciated that it felt premium and bold, thanks to the new color options that made it look more stylish and flashier. It’s also worth mentioning that you’ll likely put a case on it, but for those who prefer phones naked, it’ll be a bit more durable, so there’s an upside.
When it comes to the dimensions, there are major differences between the two phones. The Galaxy S24 FE measures 162 x 77.3 x 8 mm while the Pixel 8a is 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm. The Pixel is smaller, narrower, and thicker, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s one of the best options nowadays for those looking for a compact, one-handed smartphone with a respectable display size.
Given the more premium and heavier materials on the Galaxy, you won’t be surprised to see that the FE weighs 213 grams, which means its 25 grams heavier than the Pixel 8a at 188 grams. The difference isn’t too big, but still, it’ll be noticeable for a few hours until you get used to the weight difference.
If you’re not a fan of large camera bumps, then the Pixel 8a will likely not win this round, but it’s worth noting that the Galaxy’s camera setup also indents a little. On the upside, the Pixel doesn’t wobble on a flat surface, while the Galaxy S24 FE will, thanks to the top left center placement of the sensors.
And finally, the ingress portion. The Galaxy features a slightly more robust IP68 certification, meaning it can survive submersion up to 1.5m for 30 minutes; the Pixel has an IP67 certification and can survive submersion for up to 1m for 30 minutes, and both phones are dust-resistant. That said, we discourage you from putting these in water, but know they’ll protect your private information if you’re caught in the rain or spill water on your desk.
Display
More vibrant and faster responses
Thanks to its larger dimensions, the Galaxy S24 FE packs a much larger display, making it a far better device for consuming content and multitasking. It’s equipped with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and 1900 nits of peak brightness. It’s excellent for watching movies, videos, and playing games, and smooth enough to scroll through your favorite social media platforms and the web.
The Pixel 8a packs a more conservative display that measures 6.1-inch. It’s an OLED panel with HDR and a 120Hz refresh rate, which is great to see on a phone costing less than $500. It has 2000 nits of peak brightness, making it excellent for consuming movies and your favorite TV shows, and it’s also ideal for multitasking and browsing away, especially if you want a more manageable size.
Both phones have an under-display optical fingerprint sensor that offers great support for apps and a convenient way of unlocking the device. However, it’s worth noting that the Pixel 8a has much larger and uneven bezels surrounding the screen, making it look a little dated compared to other higher-end flagships. It’s not the end of the world, as it’s still a great panel, but it’s something that you can unsee once you notice it.
Software and performance
Solid software and OS support for the years to come
Google and Samsung have stepped up their software and OS game in recent years, and both companies offer an impressive seven years of OS and security updates, making them more futureproof than ever. While some of the latest and flashiest features might not arrive due to hardware limitations, you can still expect many new software additions to arrive.
In terms of user interface, both devices offer a layout and design that’s easy to get used to, and something that most people are already familiar with. You can achieve anything with both if you want more customization and personalization. However, Samsung will still offer far more options under the hood. It’s more customizable, and GoodLock offers even more options, which makes it a great option for more tech-savvy users.
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The Pixel 8a is also customizable, but the Pixel user interface is more limited. Of course, you can still download and use third-party apps, like custom launchers, but the system will be more limited to these apps than Samsung's. The Pixel is the way to go if you prefer the more simplistic UI. However, if you prefer Samsung’s take, or you want more options, Samsung offers a more versatile and personal experience.
Finally, when it comes to AI, both phones benefit from the new Galaxy AI and Gemini advancements. Some features will likely remain exclusive to their flagship counterparts, but these phones will still get some of the features as they have enough power to run them. On the plus side, Samsung’s phones will receive most Gemini AI features, making it a great alternative for those who care about AI features.
Speaking of power. If you want to play games and do more graphics-intensive tasks, the Samsung will blow the Pixel out of the water. It’s powered by the Samsung Exynos 2400e chipset, which is simply more powerful and capable than Google’s own Tensor G3 chip.
It’s not to say that Google’s chip is bad, but it’s certainly not as snappy or capable for graphics-intensive games as the Exynos chip that powers the Galaxy S24 FE. However, if you just want a phone that’s great for everyday tasks without any impact on overall performance, then both phones provide an equally impressive experience without any major issues.
Battery life
Decent battery life and slow charging
Neither Samsung nor Google are well known for their fast charging capabilities. In fact, they’re known as the manufacturers that are stuck in the past with aging and slow charging features. Regarding the capacity, both offer reasonable battery cells, with the Galaxy S24 FE featuring a 4,700 mAh battery, and the Pixel 8a sporting a 4,492 mAh cell inside.
Charging the Galaxy S24 FE isn’t too bad, but it’s still slow with its 25W wired option. It can go from 0% to 50% in 30 minutes, and a full charge takes a little over an hour. It supports 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.
The Pixel 8a supports 18W wired charging, and 7.5W wireless charging, a standard that’s very slow nowadays. In terms of charging speed, the Galaxy S24 FE is the clear winner, but it’s worth noting that the extra $150 is a bit steep for those upgrades. Neither of these phones are particularly great, but credit where it’s due; the Galaxy offers better specifications and charging performance, not to mention longer lasting thanks to the larger cell.
Camera
The Pixel 8a is still the camera champ
During our review, we found that both the Galaxy S24 FE and Pixel 8a offer great overall photos in most environments and lighting conditions. The Galaxy S24 FE comes with a triple camera setup, consisting of a 50MP primary, 12MP ultrawide, and 8MP telephoto. The color production is much improved on the Galaxy, and the new AI improves the quality of photos compared to its predecessor by a mile.
We haven’t noticed any noticeable shutter lag or anything out of the ordinary, and the triple camera on the Galaxy provides impressive results, even in low light. Nighttime photos aren’t perfect, but the S24 FE does a decent job with noise reduction, resulting in less grainy photos.
In contrast, the Pixel 8a is just as good as its predecessor. It has a dual camera setup, featuring a 64MP primary, and 13MP ultrawide, but there’s no telephoto, unfortunately. The colors are a touch less saturated than its predecessor, too, but this might be an advantage for some as it offers a more natural-looking photo.
While the lack of a telephoto might be a downside for many, we found that the standard 2x cropped images are excellent, thanks to the 64MP main sensor. It’s usable for up to 3.5x zoom, but any more than that becomes unusable. If you’re looking for an all-around great package, both phones will provide great value for money, but the Pixel is still a winner in most lighting conditions thanks to its powerful under-the-hood algorithm that enhances the photos.
Which is right for you?
So, based on the comparison, which of these devices is best for you? Well, if you’re looking for a large, powerful smartphone that’ll receive plenty of updates, offers a decent camera experience, and has a long battery life, the Galaxy S24 FE is an excellent pick. For the price, you’re getting an excellent smartphone that's great value, and a premium-feeling device that competes with some high-end flagships.
You can often find it cheaper than its $650 retail price, too, hovering around $600 and a bit less during promotional periods.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE has a lot to offer. It features an excellent, bright, and colorful display, a solid battery life, an excellent performance. Like the Pixel, it comes with seven years of software support, and the camera has also seen some welcome changes that makes it a fantastic choice for those looking for a great all-in-one package for a little more.
$650 at Amazon $650 at Best Buy $650 at Samsung
If you’re looking for something more compact with an excellent display, great build quality that’s durable and feels good, and an impressive camera setup, then the Pixel 8a remains a fantastic option. It’s often available well below $500, making it one of the best budget smartphones money can buy.
Google Pixel 8a
The Google Pixel 8a is a massive upgrade over its predecessor, offering a brighter display, faster processor, and a larger battery. It has one of the best cameras in this price range, and it even benefits from some of the latest AI features that can enhance your experience on a whole new level. With seven years of OS and security updates, it’s hard to beat.